Intrepid Travel is upping its philanthropic impact in 2024 with its not-for-profit arm, The Intrepid Foundation, pledging AUD$1 million to support communities worldwide in 2024 and matching public donations up to $1 million from 1 January this year.
With the $1 million pledge, the B Corp-certified tour operator aims to lead by example and empower travellers to give back to the 45 grassroots NGOs in the destinations visited.
Beyond the $1 million company donation, the NFP aims to raise a further $2 million through travellers’ contributions in 2024.
The pledge announcement follows a record fundraising year with more than $2.7 million raised for community projects and appeals across the globe in 2023.
On-the-ground community impact
This includes more than $600,000 raised from the Morocco Earthquake Appeal, which delivered 108 tonnes of emergency supplies to 69 villages to support 3,872 families through its local partners, High Atlas Foundation and Education for All.
Morocco-based Intrepid Travel Managing Director of EMEA Zina Bencheikh, who was there during the devastating earthquake, saw the community impact firsthand.
“Here in Morocco, I witnessed our teams rally together to provide comfort in a time of incredible loss,” she said.
“By introducing this new matching initiative, we aim to assure our travellers that any amount they’re able to give will go a long way.”
The Intrepid Foundation General Manager Biheng Zhang added: “We consistently hear from travellers who want to do more for the local communities they visit.”
“By introducing customers to these local initiatives during their Intrepid trips, we hope to bridge an important gap and do more for the communities that have become like family through our travels.”
Other 2023 charity events include $328,000 raised from the Blue Dragon Marathon Walk to support the Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation in Vietnam and its Eurail partnership, which saw $430,000 donated to community causes in Italy, Croatia and Portugal.
For more info, head to the intrepidfoundation.org
